词汇精选：attempt的用法和辨析

一、详细释义：

n.

企图，尝试 [C]

例句：

The southern rebellion was an attempt to uphold the institution of slavery.

南方的叛乱是一种维护奴隶制度的尝试。

例句：

Two factories were closed in an attempt to cut costs.

为了消减费用，关闭了两家工厂。

试图夺取 [C]

例句：

Someone has made an attempt on the President's life.

有人试图刺杀总统。

例句：

They made an attempt on his life.

他们对他进行人身攻击。

v.

试图，企图 [T]

例句：

They attempted to finish the task before July.

他们试图在七月以前完成这项任务。

例句：

The prisoners attempted to escape but failed.

囚犯们企图，逃跑，但失败了。

试图夺取 [T]

例句：

It was unclear if the soldiers were loyal to the government or to those attempting to seize power.

目前还不清楚士兵们是忠于政府还是忠于那些试图夺取政权的人。

【古】企图杀害 [T]

例句：

They attempted the life of the dictator.

他们企图杀害这个独裁者。

二、词义辨析：

attempt,try,endeavour,strive

这些动词均含有“试图，努力，力图”之意。attempt较正式用词，侧重已经开始，且希望完成，但常隐含着不一定有预期的结果。try普通用词，可与attempt换用，但强调努力或尝试，后跟不定式表示努力或争取；后跟动名词表示尝试。endeavour正式用词，指尽最大努力、认真地克服困难去做某事。strive和endeavour一样，表示付出巨大努力，但strive侧重劳累与紧张，而不强调努力的结果。

三、参考例句：

His attempt proved an abortion.

他的企图完全失败了。

Their attempt proved an abortion.

他们的企图完全失败了。

He gave up the attempt in despair.

他在绝望中放弃了这种尝试。

They made no attempt to escape.

他们并未图谋逃跑。

They made an attempt on his life.

他们对他进行人身攻击。

His attempt to escape was foiled.

他逃亡的企图遭到挫败。

The attempt was only partially successful.

那次尝试仅部分成功。

What emboldens him to make the attempt?

是什么让他有胆量去作此尝试?

Their attempt is destined to failure.

他们的企图注定要失败。

A feeble attempt is liable to fail.

浅尝辄止多半是要失败的。